Spray assembly for surface treatment

Abstract

The invention generally relates to a surface treatment distribution apparatus and spray assembly apparatus method capable of applying a variety of surface treatments, for example mastic surface treatments, to a variety of highways, roadways and other asphalt surfaces of variable shapes and sizes. The invention generally includes a tank, pumps, operator station, control inputs, filter assemblies, spray bar and self cleaning spray tip assemblies. Each spray tip assembly includes a self cleaning functionality whereby the operator may remove any debris or clogging material from one or more spray tips with a pneumatically actuated plunger located in the spray tip assembly that acts to force the debris or blockage out of the spray tip. The plunger retracts after actuation and the spray tip assembly is then ready to resume spray operations as desired by the operator.

We claim: 
     
       1. An apparatus, comprising:
 a tank with an internal agitator for storing and mixing a spray fluid; 
 a first pump in fluid communication with the tank wherein the first pump provides for pumping the spray fluid from the tank and through the fluid communication system; 
 a primary filter assembly in fluid communication with the first pump; 
 a spray bar in fluid communication with the primary filter; and, at least one spray tip assembly in fluid communication with the spray bar for directing the spray fluid on to a roadway surface wherein the spray tip assembly includes therein an internally disposed plunger for dislodging debris from the spray tip assembly, 
 wherein the spray tip assembly further comprises an upper chamber assembly with an air port in fluid communication with a pneumatic air source, an air port including an exhaust valve and provides a housing for a plunger disc attached to the plunger. 
 
     
     
       2. The apparatus of  claim 1  wherein the spray tip assembly further comprises a middle guide assembly attached to the upper chamber assembly. 
     
     
       3. The apparatus of  claim 2  wherein the spray tip assembly includes a lower chamber attached to the middle guide assembly. 
     
     
       4. A spray tip assembly, comprising:
 an upper chamber assembly including a plunger disc housed therein with a plunger extending vertically away from the plunger disc and out of the upper chamber assembly; 
 a middle guide assembly attached to the upper chamber assembly wherein the middle guide assembly includes an orifice extending axially through the length of the middle guide assembly and is adapted to receive a length of the plunger which extends through the middle guide assembly; and, 
 a lower assembly with a nipple wherein the lower assembly is connected to the middle guide assembly, wherein the lower assembly includes an orifice extending axially through the length of the lower assembly and is adapted to receive a length of the plunger so that the tip of the plunger rests at a level above the nipple during the emission of a spray fluid from the lower assembly. 
 
     
     
       5. The spray tip assembly of  claim 4  wherein the application of compressed air into the upper chamber assembly causes the plunger to extend through the orifice below the nipple and dislodge debris from the lower assembly.